To ensure that students experience success in the fifth grade and better prepare themselves for middle school, we request that both students and the adults in their lives work together to meet the following expectations:

Homework

In the fifth grade students will be assigned homework every night, except Friday.  However, some long-term assignments will require attention during the weekend.  According to Baltimore County guidelines, fifth grade students should receive no more than 60 minutes of homework each night.  If your child spends more than one hour completing homework, contact your child’s teacher. Each student will receive nightly assignments in reading, math, and spelling and may have homework from other subjects periodically throughout the year.

Each student will receive a planner that has been purchased by the school and/or the PTA.  This will help them practice organization skills and ensure that homework is completed and turned in on time. The fifth grade team expects that students will record their homework in the planner during the times specified by their teacher.  It is recommended that an adult in the home ask for the planner each day to review assignments until a daily routine is established. 

The fifth grade year is a time for the students to become more independent; however, it is okay for adults to occasionally review finished homework or to study together. Please remember that teachers need to see the student’s work to assess their understanding.  It is important that adults offer advice rather than completing parts of the homework for them.

 

Organization Expectations

Organization is a skill that has to be taught.  Helping students with organizational skills at home will enable them to be successful in the fifth grade and will better prepare them to enter middle school.

Ways to help them improve organization are:

  • Making sure that binders are neat and organized.  All papers should be in the correct section and reinforcements should be used when a paper is torn.

  • Keeping a binder at home to place all of the work for a completed topic in it.  This will help alleviate the weight of the notebook, which will help it last longer.  Topics usually last two to three weeks and end with a test or project. 

  • Adults should check folders regularly for work sent home and important school announcements. It may be necessary to ask for the folder until a routine is established at home.

  • Make sure your child has a quiet place and a consistent time during the day to complete homework with necessary supplies.

  • Check supplies regularly.  Students will need packages of pencils with erasers throughout the year.  Other supplies will need to be replaced at the middle of the school year.


You are encouraged to use letters, email, web sites or other methods that the teacher establishes to communicate.  If you are not sure about something or just want a second opinion, contact us!

 

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